Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

Business

My Darden School Experience Could Be Yours!

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Darden School (Colgate Darden School of Gradua...Image via Wikipedia

The Darden School at the University of Virginia provides a business education that I rate as second to none.  The faculty are amazing, the facilities are stunningly beautiful, and, yet, that isn't what makes it so exceptional.  It is the culture of Darden that makes it special.  Being a part of Mr. Jefferson's University offers a rare grounding in the exceptional vision and intelligence of this founding father.   While President's name are often attached to building and schools, Mr. Jefferson truly created to core strategy, designed the buildings, and oversaw physical construction.   He was the architect and truly laid the foundation for generations and created a culture of engaged learning and excellence.

I consider myself truly blessed to have earned my MBA from the Darden School. Have you considered getting an MBA while still working?  Here is your chance!

The MBA for Executives Program at Darden allows seasoned managers to
earn the Darden MBA from the University of Virginia while continuing to
work full time. Students have an average of 12 years professional
experience (7 minimum).

If you’d like to learn more, you can attend the MBA for Executives
Open House at Darden on Saturday February 13. The day (10 am- 3pm)
includes the opportunity to participate in a classroom discussion and
meet current students, faculty, and staff.

Sign up / more info at: 
www.darden.virginia.edu/mbaexec

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How Will You Grow Your Business In 2010?

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View of Wall Street, Manhattan.Image via Wikipedia

If you are in business, then you’re looking for ways to grow your business.  Business growth means many things to many people.  Depending upon your position and responsibility, you may measure business growth differently.  Some may look at financially measured items such as: sales units, revenues, commissions, gross or net profit.   Others may look at differently measured items such as added capacity, increasing relationships, processing more widgets, hiring more people, or such.  

Like beauty, business growth is in the eye of the beholder.  Decide what it means to you, then make very simple plans to grow your business in 2010 using the three essentials recommended in today’s On-Purpose® Business Minute.

Use this link for information about The On-Purpose Leader workshop I’ll be facilitating on Feb 5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.

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Book Me To Speak At Your Event

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Kevin W. McCarthy is the author of The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business.  He is one of the world’s leading authorities on the meaningful integration of life and work.  More than just an author, Kevin is a natural leader in business and civic endeavors.  Kevin’s goal with audiences is to stir their hearts, advance their thinking, and inspire them to action.

He is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, the CEO of On-Purpose Partners, and a highly respected business advisor for middle market organizations and a personal coach to CEOs, Executive Directors, and Company Presidents.  Authentic, original, good humored, and engaging are the qualities most often attributed to this thought leader by his peers, clients, and audiences.  He has traveled from Hungary to Hawaii since 1992 inspiring audiences as he carries the message of being on-purpose into the hearts, minds, and lives of people. 

Kevin’s intelligent and easy speaking style mixes light and spontaneous humor with a life-changing message and stories.  His uplifting keynote addresses and programs appeal to those with true aspirations and more responsibilities than time.  These people long to make a difference through ethically building a business, career, and life of significance.  There’s an authentic spirit to his words and way that captivates audiences.

Kevin shows up at the event to work.  He invests himself in your event and people.  Every engagement is tailored to the audience, company, and industry at hand.  Not one to “show and go,” Kevin considers it a privilege to reasonably meet and greet your participants, to sign books, and to answer questions.  He wants to bring value to your event.

To learn more, please call our office at 407.657.6000.

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What are your BIG PLANS for 2010?

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A new year brings a fresh start.  But why wait until late December to make your plans?

In today's On-Purpose® Business Minute, you'll have an opportunity to prime the pump to be on-purpose in 2010.  Learn the three simple steps you can do today to make your tomorrows more abundant and prosperous.  

Please use the comment space below this posting / video to share your BIG PLAN for 2010.  Someone who can help you may very well read your post and provide you exactly what you need to live more fully and fruitfully into your BIG PLAN.

Click here to receive an email notice when I post new On-Purpose® Minutes.

My BIG PLAN: Ever since The On-Purpose Person was written I knew a network of on-purpose persons helping others to be on-purpose was essential.  I've pondered this for years but the timing just never  seemed right.  Now it does!  Thanks to advances in technology and the worldwide economic slowdown.  When the comfort of cash in the pockets is no more, then the possibilities within one's purpose become more real and readily relevant. 

Please tell me your thoughts about my BIG PLAN for the On-Purpose Advisor Network.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

On-Purpose Business Minute: How Can A Bad Economy Be Good For Your Business?

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Depressed about this economy?  Don’t be!  A bad economy reveals hidden opportunities to improve your business so you can thrive in a survival economy.  Be prepared to explode your sales and profits when the business cycle recovers.

Download Development Tools 101 102  Follow the instructions provided in the document in order to get your free 30-minute consultation.  I reserve the right to withdraw this offer at anytime.

Will I See You There?

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Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce

I hope you can join us at the next Business-Building Lunch, September 1st, with our keynote speaker, Des Cummings Jr., who is Executive Vice President of Business Development for Florida Hospital and the Florida Division of the Adventist Health System. In this role, Des gives leadership to the mission, planning, marketing, new business development, and foundations for the seventeen Adventist Health System hospitals in Central Florida.

Tuesday, September 1st 11:30am to 1pm.

Faith Hall Conference Center at First Baptist Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando.

Member price $20.00; Non-member price $30.00.
Plenty of free parking is available.

For Information: www.cfchristianchamber.com or 407 484-3899.

Des talks about building a business on a foundation of love, ethics, and spirituality here.

Customer Service Laughs

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We all have our travel war stories.  I just had to add my most recent experiences to the "I wonder what they are thinking" file.

Wireless Wonders
OK, so I check into the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, AZ for a convention. My wife and I just traveled way too many hours thanks to a thunderstorm over the Atlanta airport that had us missing our connecting flight and the next flight because it was already overbooked.  I go to power up my laptop to handle a few items while my wife is taking a bath before we crash for the night.

I'm greeted by a screen that informs me internet connections are $12.95 per 24 hour period or $3.95 per hour.   Let's face it – when Hampton Inn can give you free wireless access, why is a five star resort gouging its patrons by making wireless internet service a profit center?   Frankly, I was ticked off about it.  Here I was stuck for four days at this beautiful resort and I couldn't shake the feeling I was being raked over the coals.  At least they didn't have a meter on the water for the shower and bath tub.

Thinking there might be some sort of group rate or discount available, I called the front desk and asked if there was a group rate for wireless service.  "No," the woman told me.   Admittedly, I vented my frustration when I said, "Gee, Hampton Inn gives you free wireless; you would think the Phoenician would have this service for free."  Her response was priceless:  "Sir, we're a five star resort not a Hampton Inn."

The message I got was if you can't afford the car, then don't complain about the price of gasoline.  So come on Phoenician, get into the 21st Century of basic services for guests. 

Great place to stay otherwise!

Delayed Thinking
So we're heading home from the trip to Phoenix.  Delta Airlines calls my cell phone around noon Eastern time to say our connecting flight from Cincinnati to Orlando is delayed from 8:15 PM to 10:00 PM.  I'm impressed. 

We arrive at Cincinnati to find the 10:00 flight time is still the mark.  About fifteen minutes before boarding we're informed that the flight departure is now delayed to 11:30!  So with a 1 hour and 49 minute flight that puts us home at 1:30 am.  Thankfully, we've adjusted somewhat to the three-hour time difference in Phoenix. 

What few of us in the airport realized was the food court and all shops closed at 9:00 on this Sunday evening.  That meant you had about 200 souls and two vending machines tucked behind the food court half a concourse away.  Now Delta had only about ten hours to make other arrangements for the plane, but they bet they could get this one on the ground fixed.  About 10:30 someone from Delta threw a flat of water and some biscuit cookies and peanuts on the counter and announced, "Come and get it."

Judith and I were fine sitting there.  It was the families with all the little kids heading to Disney World for whom I felt true compassion. 

Fortunately, when we got on the plane, the flight attendant, Peter, had a plan.   A free movie and headsets for everyone. He did a great job of apologizing to the passengers.   The movie was 17 Again.  You aren't going to believe this, but the plane landed just before the movie ended.  So if anyone knows how the movie ended… email me!

It gets funnier…

Bathroom Humor
We land in Orlando just past 1:30 AM.  Judith and I head to the baggage claim to get our bags.   The Orlando airport is empty except for passengers from our flight and another from Atlanta.   They place all of us at carousel 30.   About this time, nature is calling me so I head to the bathroom for an on-purpose pee.  I see it has one of those bright orange cones in front and a cleaning cart.   I walk in and a woman is cleaning the men's room.   She scolds me for coming in and tells me to leave.  I comply. 

I walk half a concourse to another men's room.   It is closed with a barricade.   I walk back up to baggage claim 30 hoping the attendant is finished.   She's standing in front of the entrance blocking people from going in.  Get this… a male attendant is standing in front of the women's bathroom entrance blocking women from going in. Do you think they could have switched?  

So here you have about 400 people all waiting for the bags with the only two bathrooms within 500 yards being blocked by staff of the opposite sex from the bathroom they are cleaning.   Could they have switched bathrooms?  No!  Could they have accommodated the only two flights left to come into the airport at now 2 AM?  No!  My Spanish is not good otherwise I might have argued the point.  What were they thinking?

I just had to laugh… fortunately not hard enough to wet my pants.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Business Purpose – Noble or Not?

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Ask the average person why a business exists (purpose) and the typical response is, "To make money or a profit."  That is a truthful, but incomplete and narrow view based solely on the economist’s perspective.  Economics is but one science or discipline of study touching business and touched by business.  Unfortunately, this popular viewpoint often casts business in a negative manner – seeing the glass half empty.  In fact, business is so much more.

Business is also an institution of society and plays a specific role of service, continuity, scale, and sustainability.  It is through the profit motive that prices actually fall, not rise, and standards of products and services rise.  Business people seek competitive advantage most often on these two fronts.  Who wins?  It is the buyer in the marketplace who wins.

Business is also a free enterprise phenomenon so one must also see it in context of government.  Absent a free market economy supported by a government, the role of business is owned by the ruling power, be it communism or monarchy.   I’m proud to be a capitalist because I understand that capitalism and a free society are interdependent. 

Very simply, a business is an integration of economic, social, and political realities to name but three of the core disciplines at work.

As a huge advocate of the nobility and
creativity of business, let’s embrace a robust understanding of
business rather than a one dimensional economic view only.  The On-Purpose Business perspective says a business exists to serve in both a social and economic role within the context of a government freeing individual pursuits with a system of checks and balances.

Here is a rather heady discussion from a You Tube video on the "nobility of business"
from the World Economic Forum. It is nearly an hour long and has a rich panel discussion.  Enjoy! 

Please feel free to comment.